Chemical Applicator

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a device and method for a chemical applicator used applying chemicals to Irving organism&#39;s internal tissue, including the internal tissue of plants and animals, for organisms which reside in mediums such as land, air or water. The device of the present invention is predicated, in part, on the piercing elements being engageable with the chemical reservoir in order to effect the coating of the piercing elements with the chemical. Once coated, these piercing elements are then used to pierce the living organism&#39;s tissue such as plant tissue to deliver the chemical.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of chemical applicators and,specifically to the subfield of chemical applicators which incorporatechemical application devices and methods for applying chemicals to theinternal tissue of living organisms, including the internal tissue ofplants and animals which may reside in media including air, land and/orwater. The chemical applicator device and method is designed to increasethe effectiveness of chemicals applied to the body tissues of targetorganisms, improving the effectiveness of the chemicals at lower dosesthan achieved with conventional devices and methods of application,whilst minimising exposure of non-target animals or plants to thechemical; however, the invention is not restricted to this particularfield of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Methods and devices for applying chemicals, such as herbicides andfertilisers, to plants are known. Such methods and devices includespraying and direct application methods and devices.

It is known that spraying-based methods may be suitable when large areasof target plants are involved. However, spraying methods may beunsuitable where target plants are interspersed with non-target plants.In this case, spraying-based methods of herbicide application may not besufficiently accurate to apply a herbicide only to the target plants.This may result in damage of nearby non-target plants and contaminationof the target plant environs.

Furthermore, spraying methods may also not be suitable under particularenvironmental conditions such as high wind or rain. Under theseconditions, the herbicide may be either dispersed or diluted such thatthe concentration is not sufficient to be effective on the target plantsand/or the herbicide may wash off or drift onto non-target plants andcause damage.

In light of the problems associated with spraying-based methods, anumber of direct-application or contact type chemical applicatortechnologies have been developed in various attempts to address theseproblems.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,357,779, to M. E. Maddock, describes achemical applicator comprising a sponge applicator connected to achemical reservoir wherein flow of chemical from the reservoir to thesponge applicator is controlled by a flow control valve.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,403,881, to J. H. Keeton, describes a hollow handledchemical applicator which comprises a chemical reservoir within theupper part of the handle. Chemical from the reservoir is supplied indiscrete doses to a sponge applicator at the lower end of the devicethrough a slit valve, which is openable in response to the operation ofa button by a user of the device.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,716,677, to J. E Moore, describes a hand-held chemicalapplicator comprising a chemical applicator pad mounted between pincersor tweezers. The pincers or tweezers may then be used to grip a plantand thereby apply the herbicide to the surface of the plant gripped bythe pincers.

Each of the herbicide applicators described above uses a sponge orabsorbent pad to apply chemical to the surface of a plant. As such, thechemical is subject to wash-off during rainfall. This wash-offpotentially leads to exposure of non-target plants or animals to thechemical and/or unnecessary contamination of the environment with thechemical.

Furthermore, wash-off potentially:

-   -   1. exposes non-target plants and animals to the chemical; and    -   2. reduces the concentration of the chemical on the target plant        surface. This potentially reduces the effective dose of the        chemical delivered to the target plant. The reduced effective        dose of the chemical on the target plant surface may then        necessitate repeat applications of the chemical and/or        application of the chemical at a higher concentration. As would        be appreciated, this potentially compounds the problems        associated with chemical wash-off and increases the potential        for non-target plant and animal exposure to the chemical.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,765, to W. A. Wegner, describes a herbicideapplicator comprising a pair of opposable jaws, each comprising anabsorbent pad and a plurality of needles extending from each jaw intothe pad. This device also comprises a herbicide reservoir which isconnected by conduit to the absorbent pad on each jaw. When a plant isgrasped by the jaws, the needles penetrate the surface of a plant. Inthis way, the herbicide, which is applied to the absorbent pads, coatsthe surface of the plant and then flows into holes produced in the planttissue by the needles.

The device described in the Wegner patent does potentially lead to moreeffective utilization of herbicide, as wounding of the plant allowsherbicide, from herbicide absorbent pads, to infiltrate the internaltissues of the plant. However, with the Wegner device, a significantamount of herbicide is still applied to the surface of the plant, viathe absorbent pads. This surface-applied chemical is still prone towash-off and thus can lead to exposure of non-target plants and animalsto the chemical.

Methods for applying chemicals, such as pharmaceuticals, to animals areknown. Such methods include injecting methods where a syringe is used toallow a pharmaceutical to directly flow from the syringe's reservoirdown the barrel of a needle into the target tissue. It is also wellknown that injectable darts are used, which are based on the syringetechnology.

Injecting methods may be suitable when a small number of specific targetanimals require an injectable pharmaceutical and when the target animalis accessible or lives in accessible media such as on land. However,injecting methods may be unsuitable where target animals are numerous,fast moving, interspersed with non-target plants and animals, remotelylocated, live in a medium such as below water or are out of reach andfast moving. In this case, injecting-based methods of pharmaceuticalsmay not be suitable for delivering the pharmaceutical to the targetanimals in an efficient and timely manner. Likewise, in situations wherea large number of animals require specific doses of a pharmaceutical tobe administered in a sterile manner, the syringe-style applicationdevices have considerable limitations.

In light of the problems associated with injecting-based methods anddevices, a number of direct-application or contact type chemicalapplicators have been developed in various attempts to address theseproblems.

For example, Patent Publication No. CN1415385 describes a miniatureneedle array sheet which supplies the pharmaceutical via said miniporearray into the skin. Such devices can take the form of a transdermalpatch to apply the pharmaceutical; however, such method and devices havelimitations of applying pharmaceuticals to birds or water based animals,each patch has only a single use and used patches contribute topotentially toxic waste material within the environs when the patch isno longer attached to the target animal.

To overcome the deficiencies of, or to provide an alternative to,existing chemical methods and devices, the present invention provides achemical applicator which substantially specifically delivers a chemicalto the Internal tissues of the living organism in this way, chemicalcoating of the surface of organisms would be minimized and thereby thepotential for wash-off of the chemical, and subsequent exposure ofnon-target plants or animals would also be reduced Substantiallyspecific application of a chemical to the internal tissues of anorganism would also potentially increase the effective utilization of achemical, as the chemical could be delivered to the internal tissues ofthe organism where it is most effective, thus potentially decreasing theamount and/or concentration of a given chemical needed to achieve adesired outcome. Further, the application method can be rapidly reusedto deliver the desired chemical to numerous organisms without thenecessity to re-prime or re-sterilise the piercing elements.

Before turning to a summary of the invention, it must be appreciatedthat the above description of the prior art has been provided merely asbackground to explain the context of the invention. Accordingly,reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should notbe taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this priorart forms part of the common general knowledge in any country.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a chemicalapplicator which uses a chemical application device and method forapplying chemicals to the internal tissues living organisms, includingthe internal tissue of plants and animals which may reside in media suchas air, or on or under water without contaminating the surroundingenvironment or non-target organisms.

The present invention provides a device for applying a chemical to aliving organism, the device including:

-   -   a) one or more piercing elements for piercing the living        organism and introducing the chemical into the living organism;        and    -   b) a chemical reservoir for containing the chemical;        wherein the one or more of the piercing elements are engageable        with one or more reservoirs such that the chemical is        substantially specifically applied onto one or more of the        piercing elements.

The present invention may be used to deliver any chemical to a plant,animal or other living organism. Exemplary chemicals include, forexample, herbicides, fungicides, growth regulators, fertilizers, geneticmaterial, drugs, hormones, pheromones and other materials and the likewhich have an effect with inter- and intracellular administration to aliving organism. However, in a preferred embodiment, the device of thepresent invention may be used to deliver a herbicide to a plant.

It would be appreciated that the living organism's surface to be piercedis dependent on factors including

-   -   1. chemical type,    -   2: application surface, and    -   3. access to the living organism's tissue to which the chemical        is applied.

Chemical can be applied to animals, plants or other living organismsincluding lichen mosses or other animal species.

The device of the present invention is predicated, in part, on thepiercing elements being engageable with the chemical reservoir in orderto effect the coating of the piercing elements with the chemical. Oncecoated, these piercing elements may then be used to pierce livingorganism such as plant tissue and deliver the chemical to the internaltissues of the plant.

In a preferred embodiment, engagement of the one or more piercingelements with the chemical reservoir effects substantially specificapplication of the chemical onto the one or more piercing elements.

In this embodiment, because only the piercing elements are coated withthe chemical, very little or substantially no chemical is applied to thesurface of the living organism's tissue during delivery. In this way,the potential for wash-off of the chemical is reduced and substantiallyall of the chemical applied to the living organism is delivered to theinternal tissues of the living organism, where it is likely to be of thegreatest effectiveness.

In a further preferred embodiment, the chemical reservoir comprises abody which is normally sealed to encapsulate the chemical containedwithin the chemical reservoir. The chemical contained within thechemical reservoir may be any suitable type of formulation. For example,solid, liquid, Suspension, paste or gel formulations are contemplated asbeing suitable for use in accordance with the present invention.Preferably still, the body is substantially impermeable to the chemicalcontained within the chemical reservoir.

More preferably, the piercing elements are disposed within the chemicalreservoir, such that one or more piercing elements are normally coatedwith the chemical. Further preferably, retraction of one or more of saidpiercing elements from said chemical reservoir's surface effectsre-sealing of said chemical reservoir. Still preferably, the piercingelements are chemically recoated on re-entry into the reservoirPreferably, the body includes a cartridge which is preloaded with thechemical. The preloaded cartridge is disposable. This preloadedcartridge overcomes problem relating to the filling and the re-fillingof herbicide containers with poisonous herbicides by unaware consumers.

In a more preferred embodiment, the chemical reservoir includes one ormore valves which are openable in response to the engagement of one ormore piercing elements. The valves may be of any type. Furthermore, thevalves are preferably biased to a closed position to seal the chemicalreservoir when the piercing elements are not engaged. Preferably still,the seal is created in the chemical reservoir when one or more piercingelements sealingly engage with the valves.

Further preferably, the piercing elements are cleansed on entering thevalves into the chemical reservoir. More preferably, the piercingelements emerge from the chemical reservoir via the valves with achemical coating. Still preferably, the piercing elements arere-cleansed on re-entering the valves into the chemical reservoir.

Preferably, the piercing elements are raised from a first member whichis pivotally attached to a second member which comprises the chemicalreservoir. This facilitates, among other things, ready handling and useof the device. The first and second members may be attached through oneor more pivot points, and these pivot points may be arranged such thatthe device adopts, for example, a ‘scissor’ type configuration whereinone or more of the pivot points are placed intermediate the ends of thefirst and second members, or a ‘tong’ type configuration wherein a pivotpoint is placed proximal to one end of the first and second members.

Preferably, the first and the second members include handles, whereinthe handles are actuated to bring one or more piercing elements and thechemical reservoir into engagement. In use, these handle(s) may bemanipulated by a user to bring the piercing elements and chemicalreservoir into, and/or out of, engagement. The handle(s) may be placedanywhere along the first and second members that is compatible with theplacement of the pivot points. For example, when the placement of thepivot point is such that the device adopts a ‘tong’ type configuration,the handle(s) pre preferably located on the first and/or second membersintermediate the pivot point and the piercing elements or chemicalreservoir. Alternatively, when a pivot point is placed such that thedevice adopts a ‘scissor’ configuration, the handle(s) may be locatedproximal to an end of each member such that the pivot point isintermediate to the handle and the piercing elements or chemicalreservoir.

The engagement of the chemical reservoir against the living organism isfurther facilitated by engagement with the piercing elements, caninitiate a secondary sealing function, reducing potential loss ofchemical to the environment. While the invention will functionadvantageously against the prior art without such a seal under certainenvironmental conditions the seal will provide an even greater advantageover the prior art.

In a second form of the invention, the one or more piercing elements aredisposed within the chemical reservoir, such that the one or morepiercing elements are normally coated with the chemical; and wherein theone or more piercing elements may be extended outwardly from thechemical reservoir to apply the chemical to a living organism andwithdrawn back into the chemical reservoir to effect re-sealing of thechemical reservoir.

Preferably, the device of the second form of the invention furtherincludes an actuator, wherein actuation of the actuator effectsextension of the piercing elements and withdrawal from the chemicalreservoir. In a more preferred embodiment, the actuator includes anupright handle and actuation of the actuator comprises the applicationof force along the longitudinal axis of the handle.

Preferably still, the device of the second form of the invention furtherincludes one or more gaskets which are openable in response to theengagement of one or more piercing elements. The gaskets may be of anytype. Preferably also, a seal is created in the chemical reservoir whenone or more piercing elements sealingly engage with the gaskets.

Further preferably, the piercing elements are cleansed on entering thegaskets into the chemical reservoir. More preferably, the piercingelements emerge from the chemical reservoir via the gaskets with achemical coating. Still preferably, the piercing elements arere-cleansed on re-entering the gaskets into the chemical reservoir.

The present invention also provides a method of applying a chemical to aliving organism, using a device with one or more piercing elements andone or more chemical reservoirs, including the steps of:

-   -   a) containing the chemical in the chemical reservoirs;    -   b) disposing the piercing elements within the chemical        reservoirs;    -   c) applying the chemical to the piercing elements within the        reservoirs such that the piercing elements are chemically        coated;    -   d) emerge the chemically coated piercing elements from the        reservoir;    -   e) drawing the piercing elements through the living organism;        and    -   f) releasing the chemical from the chemically coated piercing        elements into the living organism.

Preferably, in one form of the invention, the delivery of the chemicalfrom the piercing elements to the organism occurs when the organism isinterspersed between the reservoir and the piercing element whichpierce's the organism's surface.

Preferably, in another form of the invention, the delivery of thechemical is undertaken when the piercing element, biased within thereservoir, is forcibly extended outwards from the reservoir into theorganism.

The present invention also provides a device for applying a chemical toa plant, the device including:

-   -   a) one or more piercing elements for piercing the plant and        introducing the chemical into the plant; and    -   b) a chemical reservoir for containing the chemical;        wherein the one or more of the piercing elements are engageable        with one or more reservoirs such that the chemical is        substantially specifically applied onto one or more of the        piercing elements.

The present invention additionally provides also a method of applying achemical to a plant, using a device with one or more piercing elementsand one or more chemical reservoirs, including the steps of:

-   -   a) containing the chemical in the chemical reservoirs;    -   b) disposing the piercing elements within the chemical        reservoirs;    -   c) applying the chemical to the piercing elements within the        reservoirs such that the piercing elements are chemically        coated;    -   d) emerge the chemically coated piercing elements from the        reservoir;    -   e) drawing the piercing elements through the plant; and    -   f) releasing the chemical from the chemically coated piercing        elements into the plant.

The present invention further provides also a device for applying achemical to an animal, the device including:

-   -   a) one or more piercing elements for piercing the animal and        introducing the chemical into the animal; and    -   b) a chemical reservoir for containing the chemical;        wherein the one or more of the piercing elements are engageable        with one or more reservoirs such that the chemical is        substantially specifically applied onto one or more of the        piercing elements.

The present invention also provides also a method of applying a chemicalto an animal, using a device with one or more piercing elements and oneor more chemical reservoirs, including the steps of:

-   -   a) containing the chemical in the chemical reservoirs;    -   b) disposing the piercing elements within the chemical        reservoirs;    -   c) applying the chemical to the piercing elements within the        reservoirs such that the piercing elements are chemically        coated;    -   d) emerge the chemically coated piercing elements from the        reservoir;    -   e) drawing the piercing elements through the animal; and    -   f) releasing the chemical from the chemically coated piercing        elements into the animal.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise,the word “Include”, or variations such as “includes” or “including”,will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element or integeror group of elements or integers but not the exclusion of any otherelement or integer or group of elements or integers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Having briefly described the general concepts involved with the presentinvention, exemplary preferred embodiments of the chemical applicator ofthe present invention will now be described with reference to thefollowing figures:

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a chemical applicator accordingto one preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up cross-sectional view of a valve in the chemicalreservoir of the chemical applicator shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a chemical applicator accordingto another preferred embodiment of the invention. Panel (a) shows thechemical applicator in an expanded configuration, while panel (b) showsthe chemical-applicator in a compressed configuration.

FIG. 4 shows by way of example the flowchart of the first embodiment ofthe invention shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows by way of example the flowchart of another embodiment ofthe invention as shown in FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It is to be understood that the following description is for the purposeof describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to belimiting with respect to the above description.

The term “organism” and “living organism” is used to include “any livingstructure; such as a plant, animal, fungus or bacterium, capable ofgrowth and reproduction” as defined by Chambers online Reference.

It would be appreciated that the living organism's surface to be piercedis dependent on factors including;

-   -   1. chemical type, and    -   2 the internal tissue type to which it is applied.

Applied surfaces such as plant surfaces include any other surfacecontemplated including applications to lichen, mosses, and animalspecies.

The device of the present invention is predicated, in part, on thepiercing elements being engageable with the chemical reservoir in orderto effect the coating of the piercing elements with the chemical. Oncecoated, these piercing elements may then be used to pierce livingorganism's tissue such as plant tissue to deliver the chemical.

The term chemical is used to include herbicides, fungicides, growthregulators, fertilizers, genetic material, drugs/pharmaceuticals, smallamino acid chains such as DNA and RNA, hormones, pheromones, viruses andany other substance contemplated which would have a beneficial effectwith the inter- and intracellular administration to a living organism.

The preferred embodiments described are for use in delivering herbicidesto target noxious target weeds strewn among desired plants. Therefore,the embodiments described show a plurality of chemical reservoirs andpiercing elements. However, other arrangements can be envisaged by theperson skilled in the art. For example, reducing the piecing elementsand chemical reservoirs down to only one chemical reservoir and oneaccompanying piercing element would enable the preferred embodiment tobe used for delivering specific chemical doses to target sea or animallife such as fish, mammals or poultry.

A device for applying a chemical to a living organism the said deviceincluding:

-   -   a) one or more piercing elements for piercing the surface of the        living organism and introducing the chemical to the internal        tissues of the living organism; and    -   b) a chemical reservoir for containing the chemical;    -   c) wherein the one or more of the said piercing elements are        engageable with the reservoir in a manner such that chemical is        substantially specifically applied onto the one or more of the        said piercing elements

Also, as set out above, in one preferred form of the invention,engagement of the one or more piercing elements with the chemicalreservoir effects release of the chemical from the chemical reservoirsubstantially only onto the one or more piercing elements, anddisengagement of the one or more piercing elements from the chemicalreservoir effects re-sealing of the chemical reservoir. A particularlypreferred embodiment of this form of the invention is shown in FIG. 1

In this embodiment, the chemical applicator 100 comprises a first member110 carrying a plurality of piercing elements 120 extending outwardlytherefrom. These piercing elements 120 are for piercing the surface of aliving organism and introducing a chemical to the internal tissues ofthe living organism. The chemical applicator 100 further comprises asecond member 130 which comprises a chemical reservoir 140 containing achemical, such as a herbicide. The chemical reservoir 140 is modular andcan be detached from the second member 130 to facilitate replacement ofthe chemical reservoir once the chemical therein has been exhausted, Inthis way, it is unnecessary to decant chemical into the chemicalreservoir 130 from another vessel in order to use the chemicalapplicator 100. Thus, the chance of exposure of the user or othernon-target living organisms or animals to the chemical is furtherreduced.

Preferably, the first Member 110 is pivotally attached to the secondmember 130 such that the piercing elements 120 and chemical reservoir140 may be brought into, and/or out of, engagement.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the firstmember 110 and second member 130 are coupled to each other about a pivot150. The pivot 150 allows the first member 110 and second member 130 tomove with respect to each other and bring the piercing elements 120 andchemical reservoir 140 into, and/or out of, engagement. In thisembodiment, the pivot is placed intermediate the ends of the first andsecond members 110 and 130, such that the device adopts a ‘scissor’configuration.

As set out above, the first and/or second members (110, 130) preferablyfurther comprise a handle, wherein the handle(s) may be manipulated by auser to bring the piercing elements 120 and chemical reservoir 140 into,and/or out of, engagement.

For example, with reference to the particularly preferred embodiment inFIG. 1, each of the first member 110 and second member 120 furthercomprise handles 160. These handles are positioned such that movement ofthe handles together causes the piercing elements 120 and chemicalreservoir 140 to move toward each other and ultimately move intoengagement with each other, and separation of the handles 160 causes thepiercing elements 120 and chemical reservoir 140 to disengage andseparate.

In order to apply a chemical to a living organism, the handles 160 areinitially moved apart, thus separating the piercing elements 120 fromthe chemical reservoir 140. A target living organism is then placedbetween the separated piercing elements 120 and chemical reservoir 140.Once a living organism is in position, the handles 160 are movedtogether, thus causing the piercing elements 120 to penetrate throughthe living organism and ultimately engage with the chemical reservoir140. The engagement process may also serve a secondary sealing functionof reducing the exposure of the piercing elements to the environment.

As set out above, the piercing elements 120 on the first member 110 areengageable with the chemical reservoir 140 on the second member 130 torelease chemical from the reservoir 140 onto the piercing elements 120.

More preferably, the chemical reservoir 140 comprises one or more valveswhich are openable in response to the engagement of the one or morepiercing elements 120 with the chemical reservoir 140. In a particularlypreferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the chemical reservoircomprises a number of valves 210 which are seated against the internalsurface of the chemical reservoir 140 and which are biased to the seatedposition. When the piercing elements 120 engage with the valves 210, thevalves 210 are unseated and pushed back into the interior of thechemical reservoir 140. Once the valve 210 becomes unseated, chemicalcan emerge from the chemical reservoir 140 and coat the piercing element120. Therefore the piercing elements 120 emerge from said chemicalreservoir 140 via said valves with a chemical coating.

Once the piercing elements 120 are coated, the handles 160 may beseparated, thus causing disengagement of the piercing elements 120 fromthe valves 210 of the chemical reservoir. Once the piercing elements 120are disengaged, the valves 210 reseat and thus prevent any furtherescape of chemical from the chemical reservoir 140. As the handles 160are further separated, the piercing elements 120 are drawn back throughthe tissue of the living organism and, accordingly, deliver the chemicalcarried on the coated piercing elements 120 to the internal tissues ofthe living organism.

Any chemical remaining on the piercing elements 120 after being drawnthrough the living organism tissue may be re-applied to the same livingorganism or a different living organism by placing further livingorganism tissue in the space between the separated first and secondmembers 110 and 120 and bringing the handles 160 together again. Thisaction would also eventually cause further application of chemical tothe piercing elements 120 when they engage with the valves 210 in thechemical reservoir 140, as described above.

The piercing elements 120 are cleansed on reentering said valves intosaid chemical reservoir 140. Such cleansing is achieved by the wiping ofthe piecing elements 120 along the valves and/or through wiping asterilizing substance over said piecing elements 120 on entering saidvalves into said chemical reservoir 140.

Such cleansing and re-cleansing is achieved by the wiping of the piecingelements as the handle(s) are manipulated by a user to bring thepiercing elements 120 and chemical reservoir 140 into, and/or out of,engagement.

Preferably still, the chemical “reservoir” 140 may consist of a“cartridge” which is preloaded with the chemical to release into thetarget living organism. The distinction between a “reservoir” and a“cartridge” is that a reservoir can be “fed” with the target chemical aswell as “drained”. The “cartridge” in this arrangement can only be“drained”.

In a second form of the invention, the one or more piercing elements aredisposed within a chemical reservoir, such that the one or morespiercing elements are normally coated with the chemical; and wherein theone or more piercing elements may be extended outwardly from thechemical reservoir to apply the chemical to a living organism andwithdrawn back into the chemical reservoir to effect sealing of thechemical reservoir. A particularly preferred embodiment of this secondform of the invention is described with reference to FIG. 3.

In this embodiment, the chemical applicator 300 comprises a chemicalreservoir 310 formed from interlocking first 320 and second 330 members.The first 320 and second members 330 are moveable relative to each otherto place the chemical reservoir 310 in either an expanded configuration(as shown in panel A) or compressed configuration (as shown in panel B).The first and second members are biased to place the chemical reservoir310 in an expanded configuration by springs 340.

The chemical reservoir 320 may be compressed into a compressedconfiguration by applying a force along the longitudinal axis of handle342. This force causes the first member 320 and second member 330 tomove toward each other and causes the springs 340 to compress. Thehandle 342 is coupled to the second member 330 by a ball joint 344 whichenables the handle to be placed at a range of angles relative to thechemical reservoir 310.

The first member 310 comprises a plurality of piercing elements 350 thatextend into the interior of the chemical reservoir 310 when the chemicalreservoir is in an expanded configuration. In this configuration, thechemical reservoir 310 remains sealed and the piercing elements 350become coated with chemical held in the chemical reservoir 310. Thesecond member comprises a plurality of apertures 360 placed oppositeeach of the piercing elements. Each of the apertures 360 comprises aconcave rubber gasket 370 to prevent leakage of chemical out of thechemical reservoir 310 through the apertures 360.

When the chemical reservoir 310 is placed into a compressedconfiguration, the piercing elements 350 penetrate through the concaverubber gaskets 370, which normally seal the chemical reservoir 310. Asthe piercing elements pass through the rubber gaskets 370, the gasketswipe the majority of the chemical off the surface of the piercingelements 350. However, the piercing elements 350 comprise a plurality oflongitudinal grooves 352. These grooves 352 enable the retention of somechemical on the piercing elements 350 as the piercing elements 350 passthrough the gaskets 370. In this configuration, the piercing elements350 emerge from the chemical reservoir 310 carrying chemical in thegrooves 352 thereof, and thus are configured to deliver the chemical toa living organism. Therefore the piercing elements 350 emerge from saidchemical reservoir 310 via said gaskets 370 with a chemical coating.

The chemical reservoir 310 may also be disposed within a housing 380.The housing 380 comprises a series of apertures which correspond to theapertures in the chemical reservoir 310, thus enabling the piercingelements 350 to emerge from the chemical reservoir 310 when the chemicalreservoir is in the housing 380. In this embodiment, the housing 380comprises a dorsal aperture 382 which enables connection of the handle342 to the second member 330. In this way, the chemical reservoir 310may be compressed into the compressed configuration while the chemicalreservoir 310 is retained within the housing 380. In this embodiment,the housing 380 comprises a further aperture which enables the chemicalreservoir 310 to be slid into the housing 380. The chemical reservoir350 is then retained within the housing by one or more ball bearingdetents 386.

In use, the device of the second form of the invention is held in anupright position, with the chemical reservoir 310 being proximal to theground and the handle 342 extending upwardly therefrom. A user may thengrip the handle 342 and carry the device to a living organism such as abroadleaf weed or carpetweed. The device may then be positioned over theliving organism. Once the device has been positioned over a livingorganism, the user exerts a force along the length of the handle 342,which, as described above, effects compression of the chemical reservoir310 and extension of the piercing elements 350, as described above. Theextended piercing elements 350 penetrate the tissue of the organism anddeliver the chemical thereto. When the force on the handle 342 isreleased, the springs 340 bias the chemical reservoir 310 into theexpanded configuration, which, in turn, causes the piercing elements 350to retract back into the chemical reservoir 310.

The piercing elements 350 are cleansed on entering said gaskets 370 intosaid chemical reservoir 310. Further, the piercing elements 350 arere-cleansed on re-entering the chemical reservoir 310. Such cleansingand re-cleansing is achieved by the wiping of the piecing elements alongthe gaskets 370 and/or through wiping a sterilizing substance over saidpiecing elements 350 on entering said gaskets into said chemicalreservoir 310. The cycle of cleansing and re-cleansing follows the cycleof the user exerting a force along the length of the handle 342,followed by the release of the force causing the piercing elements 350to retract back into the chemical reservoir 310.

With herbicide use, a preferred embodiment the chemical clasping facecan be as small as 4-5 square centimeters incorporating between 9-16piercing elements. The upper and lower limits1 are not however solimited and could be vastly different, with the optimum size beingdetermined by factors including but not limited to, the chemical typeand form and plant type.

FIG. 4 shows by way of example the method of applying a chemical to aliving organism, including a plant or an animal, with one or morepiercing elements and one or more chemical reservoirs, including thesteps of:

-   -   a) containing the chemical in the chemical reservoirs;    -   b) disposing the piercing elements within the chemical        reservoirs;    -   c) applying the chemical to the piercing elements within the        reservoirs such that the piercing elements are chemically        coated;    -   d) emerge the chemically coated piercing elements from the        reservoir;    -   e) drawing the piercing elements through the animal; and    -   f) releasing the chemical from the chemically coated, piercing        elements into the animal.

The method of delivery, according to the first embodiment of theinvention, of the chemical from the piercing elements to a plant, animalor living organism occurs when the organism is interspersed between themembers housing the piercing elements and reservoirs. The piercingelement which pierces's the animal's surface the members are forcedtogether. Here the faces of the members seal against the organism,whereby the piercing element(s), in the case of a thin plant, extendthrough the plant into the chemical reservoir, where piercing element(s)are coated with the chemical contained in the reservoir. The members aresubsequently separated and the piercing element(s) pass back throughorganism and the chemical is released from the piercing elements intothe organism's body tissue. The cycle can then repeat to re-apply thechemical onto the piercing elements.

A similar cycle can also be repeated when the organism's tissue is toothick to allow the piercing element(s) to pass completely through thetissue. In with the absence of the organism interspersed between themembers, when the members are closed the piercing element(s) are coatedwith the chemical contained in the chemical reservoir. Once the piercingelements are coated and the members are opened and reclosed with anorganism, such as an animal or a plant, interspersed between themembers, the chemical can be applied via the recoated piercingelement(s) insertion into the organism's tissue when the members areforced closed.

The cycle of re-coating the piercing elements can take place once againwhen the body tissue is too thick to allow the piercing elements andchemical reservoirs to engaged, then the members can be released,allowing the organism to vacate the space between the members. Hence,the piercing elements and reservoir can now engage to allow re-coatingof the piercing elements with the chemical.

FIG. 5 shows by way of example the method of applying a chemical,according to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3, enablesthe delivery of the chemical to take place when the piercing element,normally biased within the reservoir, being forcibly extended outwardsfrom the reservoir into the animal's contacting surfaces underlyingtissue.

As would be appreciated, the present invention encompassesmanually-operated embodiments which may be used, for example, in smallscale domestic, farming or nursery settings. However, it should also beunderstood that the present invention also encompasses larger scale, andoptionally automated, embodiments which may be used, for example, inmarket garden, broadacre agriculture farming and aquacultureapplications. Furthermore, the invention Nay also be used in conjunctionwith automated weed sensing systems (for examples, see the publicationof Steward and Tian, Transactions of the ASAE 42(6): 1897-1910, 1999).

While plant applications have been exemplified in this description,those skilled in the art will recognise that the invention could alsoadminister chemicals not only to plant tissue but also to animal tissueor any living tissue. Those skilled in the art will further appreciatethat the invention described herein is susceptible other variations andmodifications other than those specifically described. It is to beunderstood that the invention includes all such variations andmodifications. The invention also includes all of the steps or featuresreferred to, or indicated in this specification, individually orcollectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of thesteps or features.

Also, it must be noted that, as used herein, the singular forms “a”,“an” and “the” include plural aspects unless the context alreadydictates otherwise. For example “a piercing element” may be a singleelement or may include a plurality of elements.

Future patent applications may be filed in Australia or overseas on thebasis of the present application, for example by claiming priority fromthe present application, by claiming a divisional status and/or byclaiming a continuation status. It is to be understood that thefollowing claims are provided by way of example only, and are notintended to limit the scope of what may be claimed in any such futureapplication. Nor should the claims be considered to limit theunderstanding of (or exclude other understandings of) the invention orinventions inherent in the present disclosure.

1. A device for applying a chemical, said device including: A. one ormore piercing elements for piercing said living organism and introducingsaid chemical into said living organism; and B. a chemical reservoir forcontaining said chemical which comprises a body which is: i. normallysealed to encapsulate said chemical contained within said chemicalreservoir; and ii. substantially impermeable to the chemical contained;wherein the one or more of said piercing elements are engageable withone or more said reservoir body(s) such that said chemical issubstantially specifically applied onto one or more of said piercingelements on exit of said chemical reservoir.
 2. The device of to claim 1wherein exit of one or more of said piercing elements from said chemicalreservoir effects re-sealing of said chemical reservoir.
 3. The deviceof claim 1 wherein said body includes a cartridge which is preloadedwith said chemical.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein said chemicalreservoir includes one or more valves which are openable in response tothe engagement of one or more said piercing elements.
 5. The device ofclaim 4 wherein said seal is created in said chemical reservoir when oneor more said piercing elements sealingly engage with said valves.
 6. Thedevice of claim 4 wherein said piercing elements are cleansed onentering said valves into said chemical reservoir.
 7. The device ofclaim 4 wherein said piercing elements emerge from said chemicalreservoir via said valves with a chemical coating.
 8. The device ofclaim 1 wherein said piercing elements are re-cleansed on re-enteringsaid valves into said chemical reservoir.
 9. The device of claim 1wherein said piercing elements are raised from a first member which ispivotally attached to a second member which comprises said chemicalreservoir.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein said first and said secondmembers includes one or more handles, wherein said handles are actuatedto bring one or more said piercing elements and said chemical reservoirinto engagement.
 11. The device of claim 1, including an actuator,wherein actuation of said actuator effects extension of said piercingelements and withdrawal from said chemical reservoir.
 12. The device ofclaim 11 wherein said actuator comprises an upright handle and actuationof said actuator comprises the application of force along thelongitudinal axis of said handle.
 13. The device of claim 11 whereinsaid chemical reservoir includes one or more gaskets which are openablein response to the engagement of one or more said piercing elements. 14.The device according to claim 13 wherein a seal is created in saidchemical reservoir when one or more said piercing elements sealinglyengage with said gaskets.
 15. The device of claim 13 wherein saidpiercing elements are cleansed on entering said gaskets into saidchemical reservoir.
 16. The device of claim 13 wherein said piercingelements emerge from said chemical reservoir via said gaskets with achemical coating.
 17. The device of claim 13 wherein said piercingelements are re-cleansed on re-entering said gaskets into said chemicalreservoir.
 18. The device of claim 13 wherein said piercing elements arechemically recoated on re-entry into said reservoir.
 19. The device ofclaim 13 said seal is created in said chemical reservoir when one ormore said piercing elements sealingly engage with said gaskets.
 20. Amethod of applying a chemical to a target using a device with one ormore piercing elements and one or more chemical reservoirs, includingthe steps of: a) containing said chemical in said chemical reservoirs;b) disposing said piercing elements within said chemical reservoirs; c)applying said chemical to said piercing elements within said reservoirssuch that said piercing elements are chemically coated; d) emerge saidchemically coated piercing elements from said reservoir; e) drawing saidpiercing elements through said target; and f) releasing said chemicalfrom said chemically coated piercing elements into said target; suchthat said delivery of said chemical is undertaken from said piercingelements are forced upon said target's surface to pierce said targetwhen: I. said target is interspersed between said reservoir and one ormore said piercing element(s); or II. one or more said piercing elementsare extended outwards from said reservoir into said target.
 21. Themethod in claim 20 wherein delivery of said chemical is undertaken whensaid target is interspersed between said reservoir and said piercingelement such that a sealingly engagement is created between thecontacting surfaces.
 22. The method in claim 21 wherein delivery of saidchemical is undertaken when said piercing element, biased within saidreservoir, is forcibly extended outwards from said reservoir into saidtarget. 23.-24. (canceled)